Picturing America for Public Libraries

In my classroom as well as several other classrooms we have used the pictures for our "Type 1's" and "Type 2's." These are short writing assignments (brainstorm, do now's) in which we encourage the students to tap into their prior knowledge or to create their own interpretation of what they see. I have used these pictures as writing prompts and even as a short essay topic. My fellow colleagues have used certain pictures for in depth discussions about Abraham Lincoln and his Gettysburg Address and "My Experience" during the California Gold Rush.
My classroom is full of life so the Picturing America Grant spruced things up even more. The pictures are displayed in my classroom, on the board, and even in the hall way next to my classroom. I chose to place some out side of my classroom to intrigue the many students and faculty who may not have an interest in History.

Submitted by Gene Woods